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From comfort to conflict, Hayao Miyazaki encapsulated an array of emotions and themes in his movies. His views and ideologies have revolutionized the animation industry in more ways than one. But that is not all, considering the legacy of the Ghibli animator.
Through his portrayal of women in the movies, Miyazaki has reshaped the course of animation and storytelling. And while the studio has bagged accolades, they earned their stripes through arduous efforts. But there might be a bigger problem.
With no one having to lead the Studio, there remains a stalwart who is a true successor to Miyazaki’s legacy. Most fans have relentlessly pointed this out on the Internet in regards to the animator’s work. Surprisingly, it isn’t the esteemed director Makoto Shinkai.
Irrespective of that, Shinkai’s influence on the animation industry and filmmaking shouldn’t be excluded. The Director is a visionary in the making through his stellar storytelling.
Studio Ghibli’s legacy and Hayao Miyazaki’s true successor
Hayao Miyazaki’smovies are trailblazers in many ways including the themes and plot devices. His use of symbolism and metaphors is a poignant reminder of the impermanence of life. Be itMy Neighbor TotoroorHowl’s Moving Castle, the lore and myths are intricately woven into a riveting storyline.
Interestingly, the films stand out the most through their characters. While Miyazaki is hailed and lauded for his techniques, his literary brilliance is often underappreciated. This ties well with the conception and characterization along with the storytelling aspect that has carved the studio’s legacy.
For almost four decades, Studio Ghibli has produced masterpieces. With diverse and intriguing themes, Miyazaki set a benchmark for all animators for generations to come. And while the legacy remains, there’s always thequestion of succession.
Often, fans have debated about Miyazaki’s successor. While the Director had a fallout with his son, it further accentuated the strenuous relationship. This circles back to Makoto Shinkai being worthy of leading the studio. And while this seems plausible, Ghibli may have found its gem in Naoko Yamada.
‘Something that is as good as Pixar’: Hayao Miyazaki Considers 1 Studio Ghibli Movie Reached the Quality of His Most Bitter Rival
In an interview held at theMedia Arts Festival, Yamada shared her unique perspective on characters. She quoted:
It’s very important to me to treat the characters as individual people. I don’t think of them as imaginary; instead I attempt to come in touch with them from their perspective. “How would this girl think?” “What kind of scenery would they see here?” Maybe that’s tied with the life-like approach too.
Naoko Yamada is an exemplary animator who has worked on projects likeFrieren: Beyond Journey’s End, K-on!, andTamako Market. Among esteemed directors, she shines bright with her diverse portfolio of work.
That being said, Makoto Shinkai isn’t too far behind with his stellar storytelling. Known forSuzumeandYour Name, the Director has produced some of the most remarkable animated movies.
Makoto Shinkai and the art of splendid storytelling
While Miyazaki is a visionary,Makoto Shinkaiis second to none with his impeccable storytelling. He is a multifaceted animator who holds a penchant for both animation and storytelling. Apart from directing films, he authored a bunch of other manga.
What makes him animpeccable storytellerand artist is his exploration of legends and themes in the story. With Your Name and Garden of Words, he used the red string legend and rain as an incessant metaphor.
Similarly, the garden plays an important role in catalyzing the events in the movie. His enmeshing of metaphors, symbols, and setting along with characters make it a well-balanced story.
“It is important for manga originals to be faithful”: Studio Ghibli Animator Has a Stern Message for Creators, Unless They Are Hayao Miyazaki
While both Makoto Shinkai and Naoko Yamada are perfect choices for Ghibli’s legacy, there’s a caveat to that. The studio has had a fallout with major animators regarding creative differences.
Shinkai headlines his studio while Yamada is a director of Kyoto Animation. Both are esteemed animators but with Ghibli, it would only curb their creative freedom in the long run.
Himanshi Jeswani
Anime Writer
Articles Published :993
Himanshi Jeswani is an anime writer at Fandomwire, with her work spanning over 900 articles. Her articles cover shojo, shonen, seinen, and all things beyond. Her interests, however, aren’t limited to simply anime. She has a penchant for exploring different genres of manga, be it horror, yanki, music, and food. She brings out her specialization and expertise in the performing arts through her articles. As a writer, she strives to bridge the gap between the viewers and the medium itself. To her, anime is a revolutionary medium that is capable of creating communities and stories after all.
